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Why Your Kitchen Faucet Drips

You’ve been hearing that annoying drip, drip, drip from your kitchen faucet, but you can’t seem to figure out what is causing it. After making sure each of the handles on your faucet is turned securely to the “off” position, it’s time to start thinking about what could be causing your kitchen faucet leak.

The Washer is Worn Out

Faucets come in two varieties: compression and washerless (ball, disc, or cartridge). Compression faucets, which have one handle for cold water and one for hot, are more likely to have issues with leaking. This is because the washers and seals inside these faucets are pressed against the metal valve seat while in use. The constant work they do and the constant pressure they are under causes the washers and seals to wear out over time. If the washer is worn out, it should be replaced by a plumber.

The Washer is the Wrong Size or was Improperly Installed

But maybe your sink is brand new; the problem couldn’t be a worn out washer. That doesn’t mean the washer isn’t causing the issue. Sometimes the wrong sized washers are installed in faucets or the right sized washers are installed improperly. Both scenarios allow water to get past the washer and through the nozzle when the faucet is turned off.

The Faucet is Corroded

Corrosion is also a common cause of a leaky faucet and can occur in both compression and washerless faucets. One symptom of corrosion is difficulty in turning the sink’s handles fully to the “off” position. If you feel resistance when you push, it could be that the faucet’s metal is corroded and should be looked at by a plumber. Corrosion can also occur around the valve seat, which connects the faucet and the spout in a compression faucet; corrosion resulting from constant water pressure causes water to escape the valve seat and leak around the spout. Remember to be gentle when using your faucet. Don’t forcefully push and pull the handles, and you’ll help to keep your faucet in good working order for longer. A dripping faucet may be frustrating, but it is not an impossible problem to fix. If you think your kitchen faucet is leaking because of one of the reasons described above, be sure to get in touch with C&W Plumbing. Once the job is done, you will rest easy knowing your faucet will be working smoothly for a long time to come.